Power Bleeding ABS-Equipped Brake Systems
 

1. What is the minimum fluid pressure required to open ABS check valves when power bleeding M-B brake hydraulic systems equipped with ABS?


2. There are a large number of brake bleeders on the market....

(http://www.motor.com/ProdDir_Supplier_list.asp?PRODUCT_CODE=4280)

Any recommended manufacturers and models?


3. For ease of use, electric powered bleeders seem to have a definite edge over those using compressed air. Anything else worthy of consideration? Anyone have the opportunity to use Power Probe's electric bleeders?

Spare tire!!!
 

I acquired a kit called EASYBLEEDER. It recommends to use the spare tire as the power suplly source, but make sure the pressure is not higher than 15PSI. It did a good job for me. If you need more info then I have to dig them up.

Alex

I use the easybleeder on my ABS equiped car, great and easy,

Looking for a power bleeder that will hold at least a couple of gallons of brake fluid.

phoenix injector system
 

Hi,

The snap on man that I know recommends the phoenix injector system where it bleads from the caliper through the ABS pump, then to the reservoir because air bubbles naturally go up. It is about $350 or so for the phoenix injector system.

Why do you want it to hold so much fluild? You know that you can make one yourself.

Austin

I can endorse the Vacula.

15 years on the same unit with no problems.
Powerful and easy to use, but does require a compressor.

EASY BLEEDER
 

Who manufacturers the 'EASY BLEEDER'? I have Silverline Mityvac kit, but not sure I have the brake bleeding accessories kit.

Hilton Smith

Snap on sells the phoenix injector reverse bleeding system made of plastic parts for 120, instead of 350. The 350 is all metal. I am going to buy the 120 one and see how it works.

Don't forget about the legendary El Cheapo line of MB tools, including a make-one-yourself brake bleeder:

The El Cheapo

Is a Powerbleeder Needed?
 

I've never done very much on the hydraulic side of brake systems and never dealt with an ABS system. Is a powerbleeder needed or can these systems be bleed the old fashion way by getting an assistant to carefully pump the brakes?

jlc

Mityvac
 

I mentioned that I had a Silverline Mityvac 400 kit. I am not selling these things, but the hand pump is repairable metal and comes with gauge and many adapters and brake bleeding cup. The 100 page users manual lists at least 100 engine, engine, a/c, computer, etc. checks tha can be made with it and gives specific instructions for conducting these checks. It does not address ABS in mine, but I have had it for about 12 years and have a inquiry in to Mityvac (www.Mityvac.com) to veriry its suitability for ABS brake systems. I bought mine from JCWhitney for about $50. I just checked JCWhitney on line and the kit is 39.95 or 34.95 for the brake bleeder kit. The info is confusing, but the only difference in the kits is the 39.95 comes with a vacuum gauge - it includes brake bleeding equipment. A better description is on the Mityvac web site.

Hilton Smith

Hilton Smith

If I remember correctly, the recommended pressure for bleeding an ABS system is around 27-29 foot pounds.

This may not apply to any Mercedes-Benz machines, BUT
 

beware of any system which forces fluid back through the system from the calipers unless you have verified that it is acceptable in the car manufacturer's own service procedures. Some European cars, such as SAABs (from before the GM seizure) and Ford Taurus SHOs, for instance, use a system in which the ABS pump serves as the power booster for the whole system, and forcing fluid backward through these is likely to seriously damage a $2000. part, leaving you with not only no ABS, but only leg muscle powered brakes, which isn't good, even for an old running back like me.

Foot pounds is torque. Pressure is pounds per square inch (psi). The Mityvac and any reverse bleeder pulls a vacuum (almost) at the bleeder valve/port and the most possible is atmospheric (14.7psi) at standard day (59 deg F.) sea level as atmospheric is on the other side of the reservoir and the pump can probably only pull about 13 psi (14.7 would be absolute vacuum). Reverse bleedeers may not be suitable for these systems if they require 15 psi that I have read mentioned on this forum.

Hilton Smith

I can't believe any system would pressurize at the bleeder valve/port. You should only pressurize at the reservoir and/or exhaust/vacuum at he bleeder port. The contaminated fluid is in the master cyl and wheel cyls/calipers. You don't want to reverse the normal flow of the fluid.

Hilton Smith